Year to date, crime continues to decline in New York City, but this month, New York City saw a notable uptick in hate crimes, particularly those targeting Jewish communities, the NYPD said.

Police reported a total of 309 hate crimes from January to October, compared to 297 in 2017. Of the 309 hate crimes this year, 159 were anti-Semitic in nature, a disturbing trend in light of the Pittsburgh synagogue attacks, said NYPD Commissioner O'Neill.

"None of it, none of it will ever be tolerated in New York City ... everybody in NYC and our nation should pay attention to what happened in Pittsburgh and understand it should never happen in our nation," he said.

In response to these attacks, Chief Thomas Galati said they NYPD is tracking white supremacy, anti- Semitic and neo-Nazi hate groups.

Total crime, however, continues to decline, and overall index crimes are down 1.4 percent, which represents 1,149 fewer victims, the NYPD reported. If this trend continues, 2018 could set a new record-setting low of 97,000 total index crimes in New York City.

Twelve fewer murders were reported in October 2018 (17) compared to October 2017 (29). Sixteen percent more rapes, however, were reported in October 2018 (160) compared to October 2017 (152), and the NYPD continues to encourage victims of sexual assault to come forward.